<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt"><div>David -<br><br>As usual, Ron has covered all the bases very thoroughly.  There are SO many factors that can yield a 'soft belly', but assuming fairly sensible application techniques, along with appropriate materials and spray schedules, I have long considered the 30 day rule pretty safe.  Absent the previously mentioned assumptions, though, all bets are off.  I don't disagree at all with Al's 21 day figure, but with lacquer there are enough variables to make blanket estimated cure times virtually useless, esp. here in the midwest where I reside.  Arizona, for example, would be vastly different than Ohio, I'm sure!  Bottom line, every situation is unique, with the finisher being the only one with access to legitimate info.  <br><br>As in most things, common sense rules the day....  <br><br>Mark Potter    <br></div><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><br><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Ron Nossaman <rnossaman@cox.net><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Sat, November 5, 2011 3:38:19 PM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [pianotech] How long does a finish need to cure before moving<br></font><br> On 11/5/2011 2:18 PM, David Love wrote:<br>> Sorry, off topic again, technical piano question not to do with signing in<br>> or paying bills on line.<br>> <br>> How long generally does a lacquer finish need to cure before it's safe to<br>> lay the piano on its side to move it without it showing a blanket imprint.<br><br><br>I intensely dislike refinishing, but have done enough (too much) for some general thoughts.<br><br>It depends on the primer, finish, the rate of application, and the climate in which it was done and is curing out. Thicker finishes take longer. Too little time between coats and too high a build rate takes longer. Soft primer takes longer. A good polyester primer, not overly heavily applied and mostly sanded away, with thin subsequent topcoats allowing more time between coats than you'd like - days (warmer is quicker), produces the most durable finish in the shortest time that I've seen. There are vastly more experienced refinishers on the list that can hopefully correct me if that's contrary to their experience.<br>Ron N<br></div></div> </div></body></html>